March 14, 2002

Doc Watson is more than a North Carolina treasure.

He's a diamond in the bejeweled quilt that is American music.

Discovered in 1960, at the relatively advanced age of 37, by musicologists Richard Rinzler and Eugene Earle, Watson has filled the ensuing 42 years with an amalgam of blues, bluegrass and folk that has introduced legions of music fans to "old timey" music.

David Holt and Doc Watson during an interview in Rockingham, NC.

Along the way, he invented a brand new style of playing the guitar (flatpicking) and, most recently, has been recognized as a major root of the "roots" music revitalization instigated by the surprising Grammy success of "O Brother, Where Art Thou."

Recently, the Deep Gap native performed at Richmond Community College's Cole Auditorium with David Holt - himself a respected musician and host of such musical programs as Folkways on PBS, and Riverwalk on public radio. The duo, along with Watson's grandson, Richard, are currently traveling the nation with the "Hills of Home Tour," which combines music and storytelling.

"We cover the gamut of mountain musical traditions from old-time to bluegrass, from ballads to blues," Holt said.

During a sound check for Thursday's show at Cole Auditorium, Watson and Holt took a few minutes to answer some questions about Doc's place in American music, as well the surging "roots" music scene.

Doc, how would you classify your music and why do you think North Carolina has produced so much great music?

Watson: I don't really classify my music. It's a combination of country and blues and folk and bluegrass, as well as the spiritual music the old folks played in church when I was growing up. And, yes, North Carolina has always been a hotbed for music and has produced so many fine musicians, but I couldn't really say why.

Holt: I think it has something to do with the proliferation of folks descended from the Scotch and Irish. Music has always been a large part of those cultures and the immigrants just brought it with them. And you've also got the African-American influence in the blues, which is really heavy here. What do you think of the "roots" music revitalization?

Watson: I like a lot of it. It honors the old folks. Roots music is a nice name for it.

How did you two start playing together?

Watson: Mutual interest. He likes old time music and I like old time music.

Holt: We met on my "Fire on The Mountain" music show on TNN back in the 80s, and that led to a couple of musical collaborations, including "I Got A Bullfrog: Music For The Fun Of It," and "Grandfather's Greatest Hits." This tour just grew out of that.

Watson's and Holt's most recent collaboration is the Legacy recording, "An Evening With Doc Watson and David Holt." It's a three-CD compilation of conversations between Watson and Holt detailing Watson's life, as well as the stories behind the music on the recordings.

In addition to their love of music, Watson and Holt are also intertwined by tragedy as well as music. Both have lost a child in tragic accidents. Watson's 1985 loss of his son and long-time musical collaborator Merle, in a tractor mishap, led to the formation of the annual Merlefest music festival held in Wilkesboro. Watson was asked what he thought has contributed to the continuing success of Merlefest.

Watson: Well, I think the fact that it's a wholesome family atmosphere. And of course, we get incredible musicians every year. It started out as just a tribute to Merle and has turned into something a whole lot bigger than I could have ever imagined.

Contact Tim Wilkins at twilkins@mydailyjournal.com